FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Recent Fayetteville State women's basketball graduate
Keayna McLaughlin has been selected to compete in the prestigious HBCU All-Star Dream Classic on August 9 at the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem, New York. This elite event features 40 of the top HBCU basketball players from around the world—both men and women—who are now eligible for professional opportunities. Athletes from conferences including the CIAA, MEAC, SIAC, SWAC, HBCUAC, and NAIA will have the opportunity to display their skills on one of basketball's most legendary stages.
"I'm thankful for getting the opportunity to play in the HBCU All-Star game in NY. It's a blessing to get the chance to represent my school and be a part of something that celebrates our culture!" -- Keayna McLaughlin
This marks McLaughlin's second major HBCU all-star appearance in 2025. Earlier in the year, she was selected to play in the first-ever women's HBCU All-Star Game, held during NBA All-Star Weekend in April. She was named to the starting five for the Patricia Hoskins team, further highlighting her status as one of the top HBCU players in the nation.
McLaughlin's selection to these elite events is a fitting capstone to a remarkable collegiate career at Fayetteville State University, where she steadily evolved into one of the program's most impactful and decorated players. She earned preseason and postseason All-Conference honors, and was named CIAA Player of the Week multiple times, underscoring her consistency and leadership. Over four years, she appeared in 109 games, starting 97, and amassed 958 points, 472 rebounds, and 228 assists—averaging 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Her steady development, championship pedigree, and ability to rise in big moments have left an indelible mark on Fayetteville State women's basketball—and now, she's poised to take her talents to the next level.
As a freshman in 2021–22, she made an immediate impact, averaging 7.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 43.6% from three-point range. Her ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game quickly earned her a spot in the starting lineup for 17 of 25 games.
In her sophomore season, she continued to grow, starting 20 of 23 games and averaging 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Her consistency and versatility made her a reliable presence on both ends of the floor.
Her junior year in 2023–24 marked a breakout season. She started 31 of 32 games, increased her scoring to 8.8 points per game, and pulled down 5.0 rebounds per contest. That season, McLaughlin helped lead Fayetteville State on a historic run to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen, a milestone achievement for the program. She also played a pivotal role in securing the CIAA Championship, earning Food Lion MVP honors for her performance in the title game.
McLaughlin's senior season in 2024–25 was the pinnacle of her collegiate career. She averaged a career-high 10.9 points per game, improved her three-point shooting to 31%, and once again led the Broncos to a CIAA Championship title. For the second consecutive year, she was named Food Lion MVP of the championship game, solidifying her reputation as a clutch performer and team leader.
The HBCU All-Star Dream Classic will take place August 9th at Rucker's Park in Harlem, New York. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.
For complete coverage of Fayetteville State Athletics, please follow the Broncos on social media at @FSUBroncos (X/Twitter), /FSUBroncos (Facebook), @fsu_broncos (Instagram), @FSUBroncosLive (YouTube) or visit the official home of Fayetteville State Athletics at fsubroncos.com.
